They are saying that they've seen an internal memo about closure of Elizabeth Line ticket Offices?

If it was to be saved it needs to be controlled by someone with real financial clout, and that it above council level and would need a private investor, which lets face it are not going to touch it with a barge pole

I think Birnbeck's the only option for the RNLI to be able to launch into actual water at all states of the tide. Plopping down into deep mud quite some distance from the sea isn't really their thing.

Mark

Regretfully, I agree. Restoration is certain to take a lot longer and cost a lot more than originally forecast. And unless a complete re-build is contemplated, then the underlying structure will remain vulnerable to rot, rust, and extreme weather.

Dear Graham,
 
Between Saturday 27 September and Sunday 5 October, Network Rail will be undertaking crucial signalling upgrades at Gloucester signal box. The signal box controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and South Wales, so it’s essential it remains in good working order.
 
As a result, all train services to and from Gloucester, extending to include the wider region at weekends, will be impacted and rail replacement services will be in place for the following:
 
Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester – all dates
Worcester Foregate Street and Gloucester – weekends
Bristol Parkway and Gloucester – weekends
Kemble and Gloucester – Saturdays
Swindon and Gloucester – Sundays
Cam & Dursley and Gloucester – Monday to Friday
 
Trains between London Paddington/Swindon and Cheltenham Spa or between Bristol Temple Meads and Worcester still run Monday to Friday but won’t stop at Gloucester.
 
CrossCountry train services between Nottingham and Cardiff Central will only run to and from Cheltenham Spa on weekends, or Birmingham New Street on weekdays. Other CrossCountry trains will still be running Monday to Friday between Birmingham New Street and the South West via Worcestershire Parkway and Cheltenham Spa. At weekends, these train services can only operate in the region between Bristol Parkway and Paignton, Plymouth or Penzance. Replacement buses are planned by CrossCountry between:
 
Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway (non-stop) – weekends
Worcestershire Parkway and Ashchurch for Tewkesbury – Monday to Friday
 
Transport for Wales train services will only run between Cardiff Central and Lydney instead of Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa on all dates, with replacement buses planned between Lydney and Gloucester.
 
As an alternative to replacement transport, Stagecoach will also accept valid rail tickets for travel on certain routes - please visit gwr.com/upgrade for more information and to see a map of the works.
 
All changes have been uploaded into online journey planners and we’re also making customers aware at stations and on board through announcements, station posters, and both traditional and social media.
 
Please get in touch if you have any questions and we would be grateful for any support you can provide in cascading this to your networks.
 
Kind regards,
 
Olivia & Heledd
 

Remember - 10th September 2018 is the closing date of the real consultation.

Looks like I screwed something up in the final edit ... seeing if I can stop it; not obvious. Let me grab a coffee and then look.

This page isn’t working
grahamellis.uk is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500

 

Same for me. Blimey, if grahamellis is unable to handle this request, "we're all doomed!"

"Across Europe, every other country connects its big cities by modern high-speed rail," said Greater Manchester's Labour mayor. "

From the BBC:

More Tube disruption as RMT union talks collapse


Nearly all London Underground services are suspended during the industrial action

Industrial relations on London Underground have "totally collapsed", a union leader has warned, amid a strike by Tube workers that virtually shut down the network.

It means travellers in London will continue to face disruption as thousands of members of the union take strike action over pay and working hours.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Eddie Dempsey said the negotiations became fruitless after the union uncovered Transport for London (TfL) plans to shut Elizabeth line ticket offices - something TfL denies.

Mr Dempsey said further disputes loomed over those alleged proposals as well as pay and conditions of cleaners.


Tube trains remained parked in depots on Tuesday, as the network came to a virtual standstill

With the exception of the Northern line, running a reduced timetable, all Tube services were suspended on Tuesday.

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has also shut down due to a strike by RMT union members as part of of a separate dispute.

TfL said it had made a "fair" pay offer of 3.4% and that the the union's demand for a shorter working week of 32 hours was "unaffordable".

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said she was "bitterly disappointed" the strike went ahead, calling the demands "unaffordable and impractical".

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he urged the RMT to get around the table with TfL to resolve the dispute.

Downing Street has also called on the RMT union and TfL to get back to the negotiating table to end the strike.

People trying to get around the capital turned to buses, boats, bikes, cars and walking routes, with many struggling to reach their destinations.

BBC newsgathering journalists reported Elizabeth line, Overground, rail and walking routes to be far less busy than they were on Monday.

At the start of the working week, TfL said footfall on London Overground and Elizabeth line services increased by 31%, noting that these lines had likely been absorbing displaced Tube passengers.

Long queues were seen at bus stops in central London, while bike rental schemes Lime, Forest and Santander reported increased uptake on Monday.

http://www.wellho.net/mouth/974_The-last-commuter-train-through-Melksham.html

White horse checked for any damage caused by flag



A white horse carved into a hillside is being checked for damage after it was temporarily turned into a St George's flag.

Red fabric draped over the Westbury White Horse has now been removed, after being reported to English Heritage earlier. The body said it would assess whether the 175ft (53m) tall Wiltshire landmark had been damaged by pegs used to secure the fabric.

It is not clear who put the ribbon up or why - but it is not the first time this has happened. In 2018, red plastic was put up on the monument ahead of the England men's football World Cup semi-final match.

Thousands of St George's flags have appeared across England in recent months. While some football fans were flying them to cheer on the Lionesses during the 2025 Euros, many more flags have gone up in recent weeks.

Some groups responsible for putting them up have told BBC News they are motivated by pride and patriotism. But some people have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over the issue of immigration.



Speaking about the Westbury incident before the removal, an English Heritage spokesperson said: "Red fabric has been attached to the Westbury White Horse. We'll be removing it as soon as we can and seeing whether the pegs that were used have caused any damage to this much-loved historic landmark."

Westbury's white horse is said to be the oldest in Wiltshire. It was restored in 1778, but many believe it is much older than that.

Westbury Town Council said it was aware of the incident and Wiltshire Police said no criminal offences were thought to have been committed and the force was not investigating.